By: Adeniji Sodiq Ademola
The Polytechnic Ibadan, the citadel of technological innovations, is an institution of higher learning that has been a beacon of academic excellence for decades. However, amidst the hustle and bustle of academic activities in the institution lies a disturbing trend that has been neglected for far too long – the issue of sanitation.
Without any modicum of doubt, the institution is blessed with amazing buildings and serene lecture theaters, but a conducive environment has hit it irony in The Polytechnic, Ibadan, as a bushy environment has become the norm in the institution, which has left the students, friends and guests of the institution at risk.
Taking a leap into the institution from the main gate located on the south campus, and walking down to the north campus, there’s a constant certainty that most lecture halls entrances and vicinity must have been covered in bushes, hostels would be looking unkempt for residents and several buildings that lack proper care and maintenance would give one a soothing host to the institution.
The situation is not only embarrassing for the institution but also poses a health hazard to both students and lecturers alike. The unkempt environment provides a breeding ground for all kinds of pests such as rats, snakes, and mosquitoes, which are known to be carriers of deadly diseases.
After having random conversations with some students, it was observed that the situation is not new, it has become the culture of the management, and students have been forced to endure it for far too long. They lamented that the institution’s management had been negligent in addressing the issue despite several complaints from students over the years.
One of the students, who pleaded anonymous, stated that, “It’s so disheartening to see that the management of this institution has neglected such a vital aspect of our learning environment. Instead of focusing on academics, we are left to deal with the discomfort and potential health hazards posed by the unkempt environment.”
Another student said, “When some things occur too frequently, you begin to see them as a norm. Such is the case of Poly Ibadan management on the issue of bushes within the school premises.”
“Personally, I would be surprised if I got to school one day and didn’t find bushes everywhere because this has become the standard of our dear institution”, another student noted emphatically.
Taking a cognitive look at the environmental situation, it is safe to blame it on a lack of funding from the state government, particularly with the issue of Consultancy still lingering in the institution.
However, some students have countered this claim, stating that the issue of sanitation should be a top priority for any institution of higher learning. They argue that the management should explore alternative means of funding the maintenance of the environment, such as seeking partnerships with organizations that share the same environmental values.
The neglect of sanitation in this institution of higher learning has become a thorn in the flesh of both students and staff members. It is high time the management took proactive steps towards addressing this issue and ensuring that the learning environment is conducive for all.
